Study guides · Stuff Every Sculpture Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Sculpture merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Sculpture Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: Removes material from a block
Carving is subtractive: the artist removes material from an existing block to reveal a shape.
Groan of the day: Carving is a cut above the rest.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Building up material like clay
Modelling shapes or builds up the work from material such as clay, the opposite of carving.
Groan of the day: Modelling is a build-up job.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Height, width, and depth
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork presented in height, width, and depth.
Groan of the day: Sculpture has depth of character.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A free-standing statue
Sculpture in the round is free-standing, not attached to a background except possibly at the base.
Groan of the day: In the round, you can walk all around it.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A background surface
Relief is at least partly attached to a background surface, unlike free-standing sculpture.
Groan of the day: Relief is a real wallflower.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Bas-relief
Relief is classified by how far it projects, and low relief is called bas-relief.
Groan of the day: Bas-relief keeps a low profile.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Sunk-relief
Sunk-relief is a technique restricted to ancient Egypt, cut into the surface.
Groan of the day: Sunk-relief really made its mark.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: An intermediate mould
Casting uses an intermediate matrix or mould containing the design, allowing several copies.
Groan of the day: Casting is a mould-breaking way to copy art.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A portrait from the chest up
A bust is a representation of a person from the chest up, smaller than a full figure.
Groan of the day: A bust is a head above the rest.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: 18 inches (46 cm)
A figurine is normally a statue no more than 18 inches (46 cm) tall.
Groan of the day: Figurines are small but mighty.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A statue of a rider on a horse
An equestrian statue shows a rider on horseback, a grand form of portrait sculpture.
Groan of the day: Equestrian statues are stirrup-ing stuff.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A small preliminary model
Sculptors build small preliminary works called maquettes before the final piece.
Groan of the day: A maquette is a small-scale rehearsal.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A collection of sculpture outdoors
A collection of sculpture in a garden setting is called a sculpture garden.
Groan of the day: Sculpture gardens really grow on you.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Sculpture that involves motion
Kinetic sculpture involves aspects of physical motion, a modern nontraditional form.
Groan of the day: Kinetic sculpture is always on the move.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: An image carved into rock
Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of a rock surface, also called rock engravings.
Groan of the day: Petroglyphs are rock-solid art.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Carving semi-precious stones
Hardstone carving is carving semi-precious stones like jade, agate, and onyx for art.
Groan of the day: Hardstone carving is a gem of a skill.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: It is soft and easy to carve
Alabaster or mineral gypsum is a soft mineral that is easy to carve and still fairly durable.
Groan of the day: Alabaster is soft on sculptors.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Copying an original statue
Pointing uses a grid and measurements to copy an original statue into a new block.
Groan of the day: Pointing helps you copy to the point.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A figure cut to reveal chalk
Hill figures like the Litlington White Horse are made by controlled removal of turf to reveal chalk.
Groan of the day: That horse really turfed out the grass.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: It expands slightly before setting
Bronze alloys expand slightly just before setting, filling the finest details of a mould.
Groan of the day: Bronze casts are detail-oriented.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Heating and shaping it with tools
Forging heats metal to soften it so it can be shaped, often with a hammer on an anvil.
Groan of the day: Forging is a striking line of work.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Fusing metal pieces together
Welding fuses different pieces of metal together to create shapes and designs.
Groan of the day: Welding is a joining effort.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Heating glass until it flows into a mould
Kiln casting heats chunks of glass until liquid so they flow into a waiting mould.
Groan of the day: Kiln casting is a hot topic.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: It is light and easy to carry
Wood is light, suitable for masks and sculpture meant to be carried, and takes fine detail.
Groan of the day: Wood masks are easy to carry around.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: It is vulnerable to decay and fire
Wood survives less well than other materials because it is vulnerable to decay, insects, and fire.
Groan of the day: Wood sculpture has a short shelf life.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Stuffed or draped materials like cloth
Soft sculptures use materials like cloth, fur, and nylon that can be stuffed, sewn, or draped.
Groan of the day: Soft sculpture is a cozy art form.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Monumental wood sculpture
The totem pole is an example of a tradition of monumental sculpture in wood.
Groan of the day: Totem poles really stack up.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A very large statue
The very large or colossal statue has had enduring appeal since antiquity.
Groan of the day: Colossal statues are a big deal.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: The largest statue on record
The largest statue on record, at 182 m, is the 2018 Indian Statue of Unity.
Groan of the day: The Statue of Unity stands united and tall.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A specific person
Portrait sculpture represents an individual person, often as a head, bust, or statue.
Groan of the day: Portrait sculpture puts a face on art.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A small carved gem
Engraved gems are small carved gems, including cameos, originally used as seal rings.
Groan of the day: Cameos make a small but lasting impression.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A small relief
For reliefs, small forms include the plaquette, medal, or coin.
Groan of the day: Plaquettes are small but well-reliefed.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Art from existing items
Modernists presented found objects as finished artworks, using existing items as sculpture.
Groan of the day: Found objects are a real find.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Art made for a natural setting
Modern art added environmental sculpture and land art, made for natural or outdoor settings.
Groan of the day: Environmental sculpture is in its element.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Originals were lost or valued as scrap
Many Greek originals are known from Roman copies because bronze originals were often melted as scrap.
Groan of the day: Copies kept the classics in circulation.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A balanced, shifted stance
Michelangelo's David uses a contrapposto pose borrowed from classical sculpture, with weight shifted.
Groan of the day: Contrapposto gives statues a balanced outlook.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: One made with gold and ivory
Precious materials like gold and ivory were used in chryselephantine statues, such as the Statue of Zeus.
Groan of the day: Chryselephantine statues are worth their weight in gold.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A stone coffin
Sarcophagi are stone coffins, often decorated with relief sculpture.
Groan of the day: Sarcophagi are carved for the long rest.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A carved relief panel
In the 12th century, the tympanum over church doors became a focus for sculpture.
Groan of the day: Tympana are a doorway to art.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A container for washing hands
An aquamanile is a container for water to wash with, often shaped as an animal.
Groan of the day: Aquamaniles are handy for a wash.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A carved stone in the Nordic world
Runestones of the Nordic world were northern sculptural traditions bridging Christianization.
Groan of the day: Runestones are written in stone.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A small cast metal portrait
The portrait medal, invented by Pisanello, was a new small form of cast metal sculpture.
Groan of the day: Portrait medals are small change with big art.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Rejection of figurative sculpture
Aniconism is the rejection of figurative sculpture, seen in Judaism and later in Islam.
Groan of the day: Aniconism says no to the figure.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A small prehistoric female figure
Venus figurines like the Venus of Willendorf are small prehistoric female sculptures.
Groan of the day: Venus figurines are small wonders.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A large standing statue of a youth
Kouroi are large standing statues of naked youths from the Greek Archaic period.
Groan of the day: Kouroi stand tall in Greek art.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: A base for paint
On painted wood, a layer of gesso or plaster is applied before the paint goes on.
Groan of the day: Gesso gives paint a good foundation.
Sources: Sculpture
Short answer: Learn the safety precautions first
The badge asks Scouts to explain precautions for safe use of a sculptor's tools, equipment, and materials before working.
Groan of the day: A sculptor who carves out time to learn safety is well chiseled for the job.
Sources: Scouting America: Sculpture
Short answer: Your parent or guardian and counselor
Studio visits need your parent or guardian's permission and your counselor's approval before you go.
Groan of the day: A studio visit with permission is a fine art of planning.
Sources: Scouting America: Sculpture
Short answer: Social tolerance
Discussing visual arts after a visit includes how art strengthens social tolerance and stimulates development.
Groan of the day: A museum trip can broaden your view, so don't frame it as boring.
Sources: Scouting America: Sculpture
Short answer: Training, costs, salary, and duties
Career research covers training and education, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and advancement.
Groan of the day: Career research helps you sculpt a plan for the future.
Sources: Scouting America: Sculpture
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Removes material from a block. Carving is subtractive: the artist removes material from an existing block to reveal a shape.
A statue of a rider on a horse. An equestrian statue shows a rider on horseback, a grand form of portrait sculpture.
Heating and shaping it with tools. Forging heats metal to soften it so it can be shaped, often with a hammer on an anvil.
A small carved gem. Engraved gems are small carved gems, including cameos, originally used as seal rings.
A carved stone in the Nordic world. Runestones of the Nordic world were northern sculptural traditions bridging Christianization.
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